Official 2008 Auto Racing thread (F1, Moto GP, WRC, NASCAR, etc)
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Opus Angelorum
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BMW Sauber and Williams look to have improved quite a bit, great race.
I just hope Hamilton does not run away with every race, otherwise it will be another Schumacher (boring) season.
I just hope Hamilton does not run away with every race, otherwise it will be another Schumacher (boring) season.
Pimpwerx said:Lap times today, and practice this week hasn't supported this argument. Winter testing is one thing, but they never put all the bits on the car until the first race. And even now, we're not gonna see the real racing packages until they return to Europe. I don't want to jump the gun, but has McLaren put a foot wrong yet? Besides cheating, they've not shown any willingness to slow down. OTOH, Ferrari's performance seems to have only slipped further since Schumacher's departure.
That and I'm fully on the Hamilton hype train. Been driving this bandwagon since Melbourne last year. So I guess I'm just a slight bit biased.PEACE.
Albert Park has never been a Ferrari stronghold. I admit that Kimi/massa have not had the same impact as schu on input but Ferrari will be competitive the remainder of the way.
Hamilton drove great yesterday but he never had any pressure on him and he will make mistakes just as Kimi did.
I thought the McLaren looked great. Very smooth and steady, great race pace and no trouble in traffic. I must say, watching the drivers go around without TC was AWESOME! For once, I enjoyed the changes that took place. Next year we need big honking slicks and no more flip-ups and wing add ons. That BMW has wings on its flip-ups of its flip-ups.
The F2008 on the other hand was a totally other story. Felipe was a mess without TC and I wouldn't be surprised if all this replacement talk starts a downward spiral for the emotional Brazilian. Kimi just didn't have it after what happened in Qualifying, even though his opening lap was very "Senna at Donnington-esque".
I also wonder how much longer the Williams will be competitive as the development cycles/budgets of McLaren, BMW and Ferrari will soon allow them to claw back time that Williams won't.
Sea Bass was solid in his debut, I hope that quiets the rumbling that he doesn't belong in F1. The guy is a great driver and would have been here a lot quicker if Prost didn't fold. That Toro Rosso looks pretty solid as well. Vettel might challenge for the odd podium if you don't look out. (Unless Ferrari dump Massa and grab him as the current rumor of the month is stating)
As much as I hate to admit it, the Macca and Hamilton look amazingly solid and reliable. I was a HUGE McLaren fan back when Kimi drove for them (I'm a Tifoso now as Kimi is my favorite driver) but those HORRIBLE reliability problems that cost Kimi TWO world championships left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Great drive from Alonso as well, who obviously had a uncompetitive shit car. People seem to be forgetting that before Lewis came on to the scene, Fernando was Lewis. 'Nando was the guy taking it to the established champion (Schumi) and was the young prodigy. I hate to see how people have soured on him as NONE of us know exactly what went on behind closed doors at McLaren. We only know what we heard from the majorly British press that cover F1. To see the true pace of the R28, we only need look at the young Piquet, who did nothing to impress anyone this weekend. Atleast Lewis was right up there with Alonso right away showing his talent immediately.
Its going to be a fun season guys, lets hope we stay free from scandal and letting championships being decided by Charlie Whiting and get everything settled on the track!
Forza Ferrari & KIMI!!!
The F2008 on the other hand was a totally other story. Felipe was a mess without TC and I wouldn't be surprised if all this replacement talk starts a downward spiral for the emotional Brazilian. Kimi just didn't have it after what happened in Qualifying, even though his opening lap was very "Senna at Donnington-esque".
I also wonder how much longer the Williams will be competitive as the development cycles/budgets of McLaren, BMW and Ferrari will soon allow them to claw back time that Williams won't.
Sea Bass was solid in his debut, I hope that quiets the rumbling that he doesn't belong in F1. The guy is a great driver and would have been here a lot quicker if Prost didn't fold. That Toro Rosso looks pretty solid as well. Vettel might challenge for the odd podium if you don't look out. (Unless Ferrari dump Massa and grab him as the current rumor of the month is stating)
As much as I hate to admit it, the Macca and Hamilton look amazingly solid and reliable. I was a HUGE McLaren fan back when Kimi drove for them (I'm a Tifoso now as Kimi is my favorite driver) but those HORRIBLE reliability problems that cost Kimi TWO world championships left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Great drive from Alonso as well, who obviously had a uncompetitive shit car. People seem to be forgetting that before Lewis came on to the scene, Fernando was Lewis. 'Nando was the guy taking it to the established champion (Schumi) and was the young prodigy. I hate to see how people have soured on him as NONE of us know exactly what went on behind closed doors at McLaren. We only know what we heard from the majorly British press that cover F1. To see the true pace of the R28, we only need look at the young Piquet, who did nothing to impress anyone this weekend. Atleast Lewis was right up there with Alonso right away showing his talent immediately.
Its going to be a fun season guys, lets hope we stay free from scandal and letting championships being decided by Charlie Whiting and get everything settled on the track!
Forza Ferrari & KIMI!!!
Pterion said:
99,00,01,02.
99-Schu qualified 3rd finished 8th 1 lap down 0 points, eddie won it for Ferrari. Mclarens had problems that caused them to retire.
00-ferrari dominated the weekend
01-first and third
02 schu won, rubens DNF.
I would never say it is a stronghold, we won there but it was not always because of our great performance compared to everyone else.
Kowak said:
Reliability is one thing. Pure race pace is another. Melbourne, particlarly the final sector was a lock for both our cars back in the day. Both some 0.5 - 1.0s faster there, that was where nearly all our laptime advantage came from.
Context.
1996
The false dawn that was Jacques Villeneuve. Ferrari was pants.
1997
Michael managed a lucky 2nd after Cheques fucked up at the start and Frentzen's Williams had a brake failure. Coulthard wins Bridgestone's first race in F1.
1998
Michael DNF. Swirvin' came home a distant 3rd as Bridgestone gave McLaren a dominant tyre.
1999
McLaren's quicker, they fuck up. Swirvin' capitalises, Michael has reliability issues.
2000
McLaren fucked up and Michael capitalised.
2001
Was the first time we were the fastest package.
2002
The Ferraristone era began. It was utterly riduculous. Had Rubens not been taken out in that first corner accident it was an easy 1-2 in the previous year's car, that was a well over a 1s/lap faster :lol
2003
Before the rain and Rubens crashing due to hitting it + oil both cars were well over 1s/lap faster. Michael was still the fastest guy on the track with his bargeboards off.
2004
LOL. Brundle's commentary after lap 5: "Schumacher goes over the line with a twenty-four-one, WAY quicker than pole position
lol), Barrichello follows him through albeit just 10 thousandths off. They're lapping seconds quicker than everyone else. It's like they're in a different formula James."2005
Bridgestone owned for the first time ever at Albert Park.
2006
Wrong tyre choice but as soon as they warmed up Michael was the fastest guy on the track till he binned it.
2007.
Kimi-cruise.
2008.
what what what.
Melbourne has suited the Ferrari over the majority of the last decade. It's a track that fits the cars characteristics well. Frankly Ferrari went the wrong way on setup this weekend after a solid FP1.
jey_16 said:
I think the makeshift livery with nothing on the nose or rear wing had to do with the late announcement of Etihad coming aboard as a sponsor on the back of the rear wing and barge boards. I agree about the white Marlboro barcode on the engine cover though, too much white. I liked the slanted barcode used last year.
Todt has quit as CEO of Ferrari this evening. Wonder where he will end up now. At Honda? with Brawn to begin another Benetton masterplan or retire altogether.
I can see Ferrari going down the shitter slowly now as the Italian influence once again takes over at Ferrari.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7303936.stm
I can see Ferrari going down the shitter slowly now as the Italian influence once again takes over at Ferrari.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7303936.stm
Finally.
Kinda odd they didn't change the system already, Hamilton made same mistake in China's GP last year.
EDIT: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65889
Kinda odd they didn't change the system already, Hamilton made same mistake in China's GP last year.
EDIT: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65889
Formula One to return to BBC TV
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7306123.stm
woot! ITV was starting to get on my nerves, hopefully this would mean HD as well.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7306123.stm
woot! ITV was starting to get on my nerves, hopefully this would mean HD as well.
Templar Wizard
Member
Yes, F1 to BBC. hopefully they dont hire James Fucking Allen.
I nearly got sick watching Oz.
'Heikki is doing his job, his bodyguard role, playing tall gunner for (sweet sweet) Lewis!'
'Alonso, the aggressor of last year!'
'I love anthony hamilton'!'
I nearly got sick watching Oz.
'Heikki is doing his job, his bodyguard role, playing tall gunner for (sweet sweet) Lewis!'
'Alonso, the aggressor of last year!'
'I love anthony hamilton'!'
chickensoup
Member
Weren't ITV part-way through a 5 year contract? I guess Brundle must have pissed off Bernie on the pitwalks one too many times.
Hopefully the people in charge of the ITV F1 website move to the BBC, because they've been pretty good the last couple of years.
Hopefully the people in charge of the ITV F1 website move to the BBC, because they've been pretty good the last couple of years.
I wasn't keen on ITV's coverage when I lived in the UK, but now i'm in Australia I would kill for it. Channel Ten was great last weekend, 7 hours coverage on both qualifying and race day but for the rest of the races it isn't shown until the very late on sunday, even for races in our timezone 
Some lame statistics concerning MALAYSIAN GP.
Code:
Good to know -->
GPs in Malaysia: 9 (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).
Last years top3: 1. [B]Fernando Alonso[/B], 2. [B]Lewis Hamilton[/B], 3. [B]Kimi Räikkönen[/B].
Last years fastest lap: [B]Lewis Hamilton[/B].
Driver statistics -->
Most Wins: [B]Michael Schumacher[/B] 3 wins (2000, 2001, 2004).
Most Polepositions: [B]Michael Schumacher[/B] 5 poles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004).
Most fastest laps: [B]Mika Hakkinen[/B] 2 (2000, 2001), [B]Michael Schumacher[/B] 2 (1999, 2003), [B]Juan-Pablo Montoya[/B] 2 (2002, 2004).
Team statistics -->
Most Wins: [B]Ferrari[/B] 4 wins (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004).
Most Polepositions: [B]Ferrari[/B] 6 (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007).
Most positions in top3: [B]Ferrari [/B]10 positions in top3 (1999 (2), 2000 (2), 2001 (2), 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007).
Most fastest laps: [B]McLaren[/B] 4 (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007).
bee
Member
hmm i think a lot of you have either forgotten how bad the bbc's coverage was or didn't watch it back then because the itv coverage completely trounces it. obviously part of it has to do with technology and how sports broadcasting has improved vastly over the years but still the itv team is great (barring james allen), really hope martin brundle and a few others make the switch although anything will be better than murray walker and john watson, at least there wont be any more advert breaks though.
Wax Free Vanilla
Member
Timbuktu said:
WooHoo!
If they've got any sense they'll employ Ben Edwards and Martin Brundle as the commentary team and leave those four other bellends (Allen, Ryder, Blundell and Kravitz) and the pitlane dog (Goodman) rotting at ITV.
F1 is Home
What I hope for:
- Choose your own camera feed ala Sky's previous F1 coverage via the red button.
- All practice sessions - red button
- HD
- The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Error in Melbourne raice.
No car is permitted to enter the pits until all cars are lined up behind the safety car in race order.
Sebastian Bourdais was 500 meters away from the car linen and still they opened the pit lane and Sebastian could make he's pitstop before other drivers. Other drivers had to make one extra lap.
No car is permitted to enter the pits until all cars are lined up behind the safety car in race order.
Sebastian Bourdais was 500 meters away from the car linen and still they opened the pit lane and Sebastian could make he's pitstop before other drivers. Other drivers had to make one extra lap.
And about the BBC coverage, Hammond to take over?! Isn't he not that hot with F1?
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/20073ef1-8d27-492c-8766-99f90186e6e7.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article3593917.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article3594040.ece
I really hope it isn't Richard Hammond, I also hope they don't go overboard with Top Gear cross-overs. Other than ad-breaks I'm perfectly happy with ITV's coverage when you consider how bad some countries get it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, it's not like we can do anything about it.
I've just watched the practice session highlights on ITV's site and with a 90% chance of rain for qualifying tomorrow it could be another crazy weekend.
I've just watched the practice session highlights on ITV's site and with a 90% chance of rain for qualifying tomorrow it could be another crazy weekend.
Wax Free Vanilla
Member
Honda is on the pace again :cool
If the forecasted rain drops on Sunday I expect a Jenson Button win.
If the forecasted rain drops on Sunday I expect a Jenson Button win.
This really shouldnt happen to an F1 car nowadays
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xVM1xsiI4tM
From free practice.
I have been told that Red Bull now have to supply detailed info on what happened, otherwise their car may be deemed to unsafe to start the race...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xVM1xsiI4tM
From free practice.
I have been told that Red Bull now have to supply detailed info on what happened, otherwise their car may be deemed to unsafe to start the race...
Ferrari looks strong this weekend. As long as they put enough fuel in the damn car anyway...
I really think things like this would have NEVER happened in Schumi or Ross were still in charge.
Whats going on with BMW? Someone should tell them that the sandbagging can stop now, its OK to have a fast car. :lol
I hope there is rain for the GP, I love crazy races! Those new safety car rules are going to create chaos...
I really think things like this would have NEVER happened in Schumi or Ross were still in charge.
Whats going on with BMW? Someone should tell them that the sandbagging can stop now, its OK to have a fast car. :lol
I hope there is rain for the GP, I love crazy races! Those new safety car rules are going to create chaos...
Wax Free Vanilla
Member
Laugh all you want, but no traction control and Button's smooth driving style = GP victory - if it's a wet race.MidiSurf said:
The Ferrari's won't finish this grand prix. Massa will be out at the end of the season and Vettel will replace him.
Wax Free Vanilla said:
Still... :lol @ Button first.
And Massa has denied info about Vettel replacing him. Ferrari even extended Massa's contract until the end of the 2010.
Raikkonen Will be in top3 maybe even first and Massa will spin in some point. And I will put my money on Barrichello > Button
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